The Devil I Couldn't Hate Chapter One :Collision Course
1191 Words
Summer had painted England in shades of gold.
Warm sunlight spilled over the historic buildings of Redwood University as students poured through the gates, dragging suitcases, greeting old friends, and nervously searching for lecture halls. The campus buzzed with excitement, the kind that only came with the beginning of a new semester.
Not everyone was excited.
Some were simply trying to stay out of trouble.
A low rumble echoed through the eastern entrance before a matte-black Ducati glided into the campus.
The conversations around the entrance faded almost immediately.
Several first-year students paused, exchanging confused glances.
"Who's that?"
A second-year student standing nearby answered without taking his eyes off the motorcycle.
"Don't stare."
The bike rolled into its usual parking space and the engine fell silent.
For a brief moment...
The entire parking lot seemed quieter.
The rider swung one leg off the motorcycle and pulled off his helmet.
Damian Hayes.
He was dressed in a black leather jacket thrown carelessly over a charcoal T-shirt, dark jeans and heavy boots. A silver watch rested around his wrist, and his dark hair was slightly untidy from the ride.
Nothing about him looked expensive.
Yet everything about him demanded attention.
He wasn't smiling.
He rarely did.
Four young men were already waiting for him beneath a nearby maple tree.
Mason Carter.
Noah Brooks.
Liam Walker.
Zayn Foster.
They had been Damian's closest friends since first year—the only people who treated him like an ordinary student instead of the legend campus gossip had turned him into.
"About time," Mason said, checking the time on his phone.
Damian tucked his helmet beneath one arm.
"I said I'd be here before orientation."
"You said that yesterday," Noah replied.
"And?" Damian asked.
"You left out the part where we'd be standing here roasting in the sun waiting for you."
Liam laughed.
"You two complain too much."
Damian shook his head with the faintest hint of amusement.
"You chose to wait."
The group laughed quietly before beginning to walk across the parking lot together.
As they passed...
Students instinctively stepped aside.
Some pretended to be busy checking their phones.
Others lowered their voices.
Freshmen watched in confusion.
No announcements had been made.
No rules had been posted.
Yet everyone seemed to understand one thing...
You didn't get in Damian Hayes' way.
Damian noticed the frightened looks.
He always did.
He simply ignored them.
He was used to people judging him before knowing him.
It had been that way for years.
Across the campus gates...
A convoy of three black Range Rovers slowed to a stop.
Inside the middle vehicle, Aria Sinclair rested her chin lightly against the window as Redwood University came into view.
"So..."
she said softly, more to herself than anyone else.
"This is what university looks like."
Beside her sat Margaret, the woman who had worked as her personal assistant since she was fourteen.
In the front seats were her driver and the head of her security team.
"It still isn't too late to change your mind, Miss Sinclair," Margaret said gently.
Aria smiled without looking away from the window.
"No."
"You know this won't be easy."
"I know."
"You'll be recognised."
"I know."
"You'll have cameras following you."
Aria finally turned and smiled.
"Then I'll deal with it."
She looked back through the window as students crossed the campus in every direction.
Some looked stressed.
Some looked lost.
Others couldn't stop laughing with friends.
For the first time in years...
Nobody around her was reading from a script.
Nobody was shouting,
"Action!"
Or,
"One more take."
This was real life.
She wondered what it would feel like to sit in a lecture hall with strangers.
To stay up late studying for exams.
To make friends who liked her because of who she was...
Not because her surname was Sinclair.
Her father could buy almost anything in the world.
But he couldn't buy her an ordinary life.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
Redwood University could give her one.
The convoy came to a gentle stop in front of Redwood University's administration building.
The driver stepped out first.
Before he could open the rear door, two members of Aria's security detail were already in position, scanning the area with practiced eyes.
The head of security leaned slightly toward the open window.
"We're here, Miss Sinclair."
Aria took a slow breath.
"This is really happening..."
She glanced at her reflection in the tinted glass, smoothing an invisible crease from the sleeve of her cream-coloured blouse.
"You look nervous," Margaret said with a knowing smile.
"I am."
"You've stood in front of thousands of people."
"That's different."
"How?"
"They expected a performance." Aria smiled faintly. "These people are going to meet the real me."
Margaret reached over and squeezed her hand.
"They're going to like her."
"I hope so."
The rear door swung open.
Warm summer air rushed into the vehicle.
Aria stepped onto the pavement.
For a heartbeat...
Nothing happened.
Then someone froze mid-step.
"...Aria Sinclair?"
The voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
Within seconds, heads turned from every direction.
A girl near the fountain covered her mouth in disbelief.
"That's actually her."
"No way..."
"What is she doing here?"
"I thought she lived in London."
More students noticed.
Then more.
The quiet murmur quickly became a wave of excitement.
Phones appeared almost instantly.
Students hurried across the courtyard, calling to friends as they came.
"It's Aria!"
"Come quick!"
"Can I get a selfie?"
"Miss Sinclair!"
The security team moved into position, creating enough space for her to walk without pushing anyone.
"Please," one of the guards said politely. "Everyone will have an opportunity later. Give Miss Sinclair a little room."
Most students stepped back, though many continued recording from a distance.
Aria offered an apologetic smile, waving gently as she walked forward.
She never wanted people to think she was avoiding them.
She simply didn't want her first day to become a press event.
The glass doors of the administration building opened.
A distinguished man in his early sixties descended the steps, accompanied by several senior members of staff.
His silver hair was neatly combed, and his navy suit was as immaculate as his polished shoes.
"Miss Sinclair," he said warmly, extending his hand.
"I'm Professor Jonathan Whitmore, Vice-Chancellor of Redwood University."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor," Aria replied, shaking his hand.
"The pleasure is ours," he said with a smile. "Redwood is honoured that you've chosen to continue your education with us."
"I've heard wonderful things about the university."
"I hope we exceed your expectations."
He gestured toward the building.
"Shall we?"
As they walked inside, curious students watched through the glass walls, whispering among themselves.
"Do you think she'll actually attend classes with us?"
"I hope she's in my department."
"I can't believe she's really here."
Outside, the excitement continued to spread across campus.
By the time Aria reached the admissions office...
Almost everyone at Redwood University knew one thing.
A celebrity had just become one of their own.
There was only one student who hadn't heard the news.
Damian Hayes.
And for the moment..
He couldn't have cared less.
- Writer
